3rd World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists

The third annual World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (WCMP) provided a unique forum for more then 250 international leaders from public and private sectors to discuss the role of social entrepreneurs and smart philanthropy in finding sustainable solutions to current global issues. This historic initiative, which is the brainchild of Dr Tariq Cheema, brought together key global players to discuss creative ideas to engage both the Muslim philanthropic community and others for addressing the Millennium Development Goals through new partnerships. The United Nations Office for Partnerships was a strategic partner for this event.

‘This year’s Congress is focused on how philanthropic, public and private sectors can more effectively respond to the worsening global issues of hunger, poverty, disease and, most importantly, conflict and youth radicalization,’ noted Her Excellency Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al-Thani, Chair of the WCMP.

The Congress featured a number of high-profile events, including the first-ever Muslim Philanthropy Awards. Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, daughter of the Emir of Qatar, received the Eminent Muslim Philanthropist Award for her visionary leadership, outstanding commitment and spirit of philanthropy. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al-Nahayan received the Foundation of the Year Award on behalf of the Emirates Foundation for their trendsetting work to advance Emirati society and generous support to promote Arab and Muslim philanthropy.

A number of groundbreaking initiatives took place in conjunction with the Congress. On 21 March, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the King Khalid Foundation and the United Nations Office for Partnerships. This will further enhance the collaboration of the two organizations towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The partnership is based on using smart philanthropy as a vehicle to promote peace and development.

Dr Tariq Cheema announced the launch of Hasanah Fund, a donor fund to combat poverty and global hunger. ‘Rather than giving food to the poor, our focus is to make them producers of food,’ said Dr Cheema.

A special inter-religious donor roundtable reviewed best practices for faith-based programmes, and interfaith leaders issued a Call to Action for increased monitoring and evaluation of existing faith-based approaches in an effort to further engage governments, the private sector and other philanthropic organizations in addressing poverty, hunger and security. ‘If we can unify the work among interfaith organizations,’ said Professor Ibrahim Saleh al-Naimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, who led the discussion, ‘we will inspire a better understanding between people of different cultures.’

The conference also saw the launch of the Leadership Circle to promote science, technology and innovation in the Muslim world, which was organized by Ellis Rubinstein, President of the New York Academy of Sciences

Another side event of the Congress was the launch of a new book, Global Philanthropy, produced by the Network of European Foundations’ Mercator Fund, which compiles the insights of 27 philanthropic leaders from around the world to present their unique views and best practices in philanthropy.

Amir Dossal is executive director of the UN Office for Partnerships. Email dossal@un.org

Event 3rd World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists
Date 21-22 March
Venue Doha, Qatar

For more information
About the Congress: www.thewcmp.org
About UNOP: www.un.org/partnerships
About possible collaboration with the UN: contact Lucie Brigham at brigham@un.org